Actor/Director Jon Abrahams appearing at “Actor’s Expo”.
Actor/Director Jon Abrahams will give a special seminar discussion at the “Casting Buffalo Actors Expo” Saturday, August 26th. Abrahams is known for his roles in “Scary Movie” and “Meet The Parents”, as well as director/actor roles in two films shot in Buffalo “Clover” and “All at Once”.
Casting Buffalo Founders/Partners(L-R) Peter Johnson, Kyle Mecca, and Harry Lipsitz
“Casting Buffalo Actors Expo” is a one-stop-shop for local actors and aspiring talent of all ages! This inaugural, one-day event was created to help talent gain pertinent career information, most importantly, how to gain the skills needed to land roles in film, theater, and commercial productions happening in Western New York and beyond. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, get new headshots, meet with hair and makeup artists, speak with talent agencies, get the low down on the WNY TV/film industry and shop vendors and exhibitors from across New York State.
Over 20 local vendors and exhibitors from various departments within the entertainment industry will be in attendance including: – Casting directors from across the state – Various union representatives in the film/stage/commercial industry – Professional acting and vocal coaches – Stunt team demonstrations – Spokespersons from area colleges and universities with theatre and film programs – Local film production vendors
WHEN: Saturday, August 26, 2023
**2 Sessions: Noon – 3p.m. and 4p.m. – 7p.m.
WHERE: The Atrium at Rich’s 1 Robert Rich Way Buffalo, NY 14213
TICKETS: On sale NOW at www.castingbuffalo.com via Eventbright – $35 **Students – $25 with valid Student I.D.
Greg Robbins – New Armorer representing The Specialist LTD
Veteran Western New York SAG Actor, Stunt Person, Producer, Director Greg Robbins has become a certified armorer and regional rep for the The Specialist LTD.
About The Specialist LTD from their website – “The Specialists LTD was founded in 1981, in New York, NY, to support filmmakers, artists and NYC’s creative community. Over the last four decades, our company has continued to grow and evolve, adding talented artists and craftsmen to our team, and introducing new technologies and processes to the industry. Today, we are the East Coast’s leading supplier of fabrication, graphics and props, providing services for film & television, live theater & events, advertising & experiential marketing, art & architecture, and more.
The foundation of our company is our collective experience and knowledge gained from decades in the industry, and our enthusiasm for experimentation and problem solving. We offer state-of-the-art 3D printing, microcontroller programming, and CNC machining alongside old-world crafts like mold-making, sculpting and blacksmithing. Our team of fabricators has a wide range of expertise, with backgrounds in engineering, graphic design, art, filmmaking and programming. With our 60,000 square foot facility in Queens, we have the space and resources to work with a wide range of materials, processes and machines.”
About Greg Robbins from IMDB – Greg Robbins is an American stunt performer, actor, writer and director. Originally stepped in front of the camera in 1984 playing a redneck thug in a made for TV movie, The Grand Baby (1985) (TV)_. Born in Glendale, California, Greg lived the first 13 years of his life in North Hollywood. He believed he would act for a living at a very young age. His grandfather gave him an 8mm camera when he was 9 years old and he began making home movies with his younger brothers. The summer before eighth grade he went to see the motocross movie On Any Sunday (1971) starring Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. Back then theaters had double features, and the movie playing first was Sometimes a Great Notion (1971), also starring Paul Newman. There is a scene in that film when Newman’s brother, played by Richard Jaeckel, is trapped under a log and drowns. Two things happened that day to Robbins, he acquired a fear of drowning and realized that he wanted to be an actor/stuntman and tell stories. Greg Robbins started his life in a body cast when, at four weeks of age, he was in a car accident with his parents. His legs were broken, and his doctors thought he would never be able to run and he could even possibly have a limp. It was not to be, however, and Greg became a very good athlete. His grandmother said during that time that this boy would do great things with his life. His storytelling ability surfaced in 1971 when his uncle was killed in Vietnam. The story of how he died made Greg decide to write the story down. This ended up being the first movie he ever wrote at age 11, called “John Henry”. Even though the film is not produced yet, it still remains his favorite story. Not long after that, Greg’s mother divorced his father, ending a very volatile life for Greg, his mother and his two younger brothers. Sometime after that Greg’s mother re-married, and Greg’s new stepfather was a good man and treated him well. Greg and his family moved to Granada Hills, California, when he was 13 and he stayed there until his late 20’s. He bounced around Hollywood, attending the LA Actors Theater, going to stunt school and Van-Mar Acting Academy. He held a string of stunts, modeling and acting jobs. Then after the SAG and WGA strikes in the mid-’80s, his grandfather talked him into going to “dealer college” in Las Vegas. Every time he had an audition or landed a role in a play or a modeling job he would leave Vegas and then return after the gig. This went on until he met his wife in 1991, when he settled down and started raising a family. In 1996 the idea for a sitcom came to him sitting in church; after writing it and developing the series, he was sure Hollywood would not like it, so he shelved it and went on to do the wildlife series Animal Action (2001). Through this time he kept developing his Christian sitcom and eventually produced 3 seasons of it. Robbins has a passion for telling stories that build up society. Robbins’ is also a competing 2nd Degree Black Belt or I-Dan in Tae Kwon-Do; he along with his wife and kids train together. The Tae Kwon-Do creed is a beautiful and uplifting way to live life that Robbins is gravitated to. In 2017 he along with his daughter Shauna and son Gregory formed Robbins Stunt Team; they provide stunt performers in western New York. Today he lives a wonderful life with his wife and their 2 children actors/stunt performers Shauna Robbins and Gregory P. Robbins. Greg is still trying to provide good stories that enhance lives as well as entertains.
After receiving extensive training at The Specialist NYC HQ, Robbins passed their extensive screening with flying colors and is ready to serve the WNY production community.
The first trailer for “Cabrini” has been released by Angel Studios. The film tells the story of Francesca Cabrini, one of the greatest entrepreneurs of the 19th Century She began with nothing and created the largest multinational charitable empire the world had ever known. Her accomplishments equaled the likes of Vanderbilt and Rockefeller. Remarkably, Cabrini accomplished all of this and just happened to be a woman, an Italian immigrant, and a nun without a penny to her name.
Elk Street Back Lot
Colonel Ward Pumping Station
Hotel Niagara
The film stars Christiana Dell’Anna (Gomorrah, Mr. Happiness), Montserrat Espadalé (Crescendo, Little Boy), Romana Maggiora Vergano (Gli Anni Belli, Imaturi), David Morse (The Green Mile, The Hurt Locker), Patch Darragh (Succession, Boardwalk Empire), John Lithgow (The Crown, Bombshell), and many others.
“Cabrini” based on a story by Alejandro Monteverde (Sound of Freedom, Bella) and Rod Barr and a screenplay by Rod Barr (Little Boy, Sound of Freedom). The project is the brainchild of Eustace Wolfington. Mr. Wolfington’s passion for Francesca Cabrini’s story began over 60 years ago. “The minute I learned of Cabrini’s life story, I realized this was a story that deserved to be brought to the big screen…” says Wolfington, “As a pioneer of human rights long before today, her story will be an inspiration to today’s pioneers of human rights which makes her story and unprecedented accomplishments as relevant today as ever.”
Blessed Trinity Church
Principle Photography took place in Western New York during the summer of 2021 and in Rome, Italy during the fall of that year. WNY period locations featured in the trailer include the Colonel Ward Pumping Station, a period back lot constructed in South Buffalo, Delaware Avenue Mansions, The City of Buffalo Common Council Chambers, Blessed Trinity Church, The Hotel Niagara, Shea’s Theatre and many more.
City of Buffalo Common Council Chambers
Joining Monteverde behind the camera are Academy Award and BAFTA Award-winning producer Jonathan Sanger (Marshall, The Elephant Man) and producer Leo Severino (Bella, Sound of Freedom), production designer Carlos Lagunas Hernar (Colombiana, Belzebuth), director of photography Gorka Gomez Andreu (House of Others, Seagull), costume designer Alisha Silverstein (Stargirl, Adam Ruins Everything).
“Slapped Straight” is an action comedy about the upcoming worldwide sport of Slap Fighting, which
focuses on the life of Gary Nichols after meeting an upcoming slap fighter “HotHands”. They become
friends as HotHands brings a better perspective to Gary’s life, giving him the courage to face his fears
as HotHands himself goes up against the Slap Fight Champion “BlockHead Red”. This movie was inspired
to be the first slap fight movie to ever be created. The idea of this movie was birthed on the set of Luminary
Figures upcoming show “Unusual Attraction”, after Raynel asked David to slap him on camera, to see
what it would look like in slow motion. So the two started writing, and It was upward from there on.
“Slapped Straight” began production April 24th, 2022 and took just over a month to complete production.
The cast was selected 5 months prior when the Luminary Brothers held a casting call in November of 2021.
The film was shot in many locations in Buffalo, as the goal was to show off the beautiful scenery of the city.
“This is a Buffalo Film for sure, with A LOT of hiphop!” David states as production continued through 2022.
The theme is definitely a hip hop theme, and is excellent in every aspect of the movie such as the story,
the characters, the theme, the soundtrack, the editing, the directing, and the cinematography. “This is
definitely a classic!” – Raynel T. Almonte. After production, the Luminary Brothers set forth to bring to life
one of the best movies ever to be produced locally in Buffalo, NY, and through hard work and dedication,
they did just that.
On April 22nd, 2023, just a year after production of Slapped Straight began, the movie was premiered in
Niagara Falls, NY at the Capitol Theater. Luminary held a red carpet event where there were photos taken
of everyone who attended the premiere. Luminary enjoys employing others when they can, especially
black owned businesses. The movie started and throughout the entire film, laughter filled the theater.
2 hours and 15 minutes later, the movie ended and a standing ovation occurred. The film was well received
by everyone who attended the event. So much, that Luminary Figures are screening an encore June 10th, 2023.
The screening will be held at the same location, Capitol Theater in Niagara falls, NY at 720 Builders Way, 14304
and it will premiere exactly at 7pm.
Luminary Figures Group is a local Film production company ran by David O. Anderson and Raynel T. Almonte
which was founded in 2021. Both filmmakers brought their production houses together, ComposedIMAGE
(David) and FrameArt Pictiures (Raynel), to form Luminary Figures Group or LFG. The dual are responsible
for all aspects of the movies they produce. They are the writers, cinematographers, directors, and editors,
of their films, and with local talent from Buffalo, NY and Niagara Falls, NY, they produce quality work
every time. Through the years, the Luminary Brothers has created 4 short films, 1 series which is still in
post production, and now a feature film “Slapped Straight”
Behind The Camera Host Cindy Abbott Letro interviews Tamar and Kaelin Lamberson, founders of the 1st Annual Valkyries Film Festival which debuted this past March at the Screening Room in Amherst.
